COAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 8 February 1936, Page 5

COAL

CALL TO NEW ZEALAND GAS, INDUSTRY MINISTER’S ADDRESS TO CONFERENCE “The prosperity of the coal industry is inseparable from tlie prosperity of the gas industry, and both must work together.” This statement was made to the annual conference of the Gas Institute for New Zealand at Christchurch by the Minister for Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, in an address when he urged the necessity for the greater consumption of New Zealand coal in the manufacture of gas (reports “The Press”). “The Government is convinced,” said Mr Webb, “that the gas companies should make greater use of New Zealand coal. The industry must realise that in recent years the New Zealand mines, particularly those producing bituminous coal, have had a bad spin and an unfair spin.” With adjustments to plant it should be possible, lie said, for the companies to promote increased consumption of coal mines in the Dominion. At present many mines were working only half time. He fully realised that competition from other industries was being faced, hut lie would do his best to make those industries contribute their share towards the national revenue.

The success of the coal mining industry was reflected in the financial condition of the country as a whole, and the gas industry was the largest consumer of coal in New Zealand. From the Mines. Department’s point of view, co-operation could be invaluable in carrying out plans at present being' formed for development. The New Zealand coal gas industry could give great assistance in the industrial progress of the entire Dominion. The, Minister urged the institute to keep abreast of scientific advances made in the industry, and to apply those advances to New Zealand conditions. Any organisation that failed to appreciate the worth of scientific research was doomed to failure. It was the intention of the Government of New Zealand to call in the best brains available.